36 



ORCHAKDS 



found. In 1840 1 commenced ingrafting, and continued 

 so to do to a greater or less extent for ten or twelve 

 years. Some of my trees were young and thirfty, 

 others more advanced, and many of them on the decline 

 of life ; so much so that I was advised not to undertake 

 to reclaim them — that they were better adapted to fire- 

 wood than to grow fruit. In 1846 I gathered my first 

 crop of apples, mainly Baldwins, about forty barrels. 

 In 1848 1 gathered about sixty barrels, in 1850 seventy- 

 five barrels, and about fifteen barrels of second quality 

 in 1852 some ninety barrels, and fifteen or twenty of 

 second sort, worth half price. In 1854 were gathered 

 from these trees one hundred and twenty-five barrels of 

 first-rate apples, besides some twenty or twenty-five 

 barrels of second quality and cider apples. In 1856, 

 being a sparse year for Baldwins, although the even 

 year, I had only sixty barrels, and those of meagre 

 quality ; in 1858 I gathered from my orchard one 

 hundred and ten barrels, and the present year about 

 forty, as some of my Baldwins of the " odd year " have 

 now commenced bearing. When my trees were trans- 

 planted they were "set out" without order or regularity, 

 but "sprinkled" over all parts of the farm ; I have been 

 careful to prune my trees every year, or nearly so, and 

 in some instances I am satisfied that the saw and prun- 

 ing knife have been too freely used ; I have not been 

 particular in regard to the season for pruning, but 

 adopted the old adage, "trim when the saw is sharp"; 

 whether January, March, June or November. I have 

 not neglected to use the scraper upon the trunks of my 

 trees in the Spring of the year, after heavy rains, when 

 the old outside bark would easily yield ; and perhaps 



